submitted by destiny house restoration center
Healing Hearts, and restoring lives. This has been the mission of Destiny House Restoration Center for the past 14 years. Driven by a relentless passion to help female survivors of human trafficking, the founders, David and Lisa Mitts, are dedicated to fighting sex-trafficking, an often unspoken crime that affects every city in the United States.
Human trafficking, including forced labor and sexual activity, is now the fastest growing crime in the world.
From its humble beginnings in the home of its founders, followed by the release of Lisa’s music video Where Has Love Gone?, which depicts a trafficking scenario, Destiny House has spun into a nationally recognized anti-human trafficking organization.
It now reaches into Central America through a recent mission to Costa Rica, where Executive Director Lisa Mitts shared with children and moms about the warning signs of both drug and sex trafficking in one of the poorest areas in Liberia, Costa Rica.
Recently, Destiny House has gained local recognition by being voted the No. 1 nonprofit by the 2026 Best of Yavapai.
Fueled by its founders’ desire to make an everlasting positive impact on the lives of women who have endured the unimaginable, Destiny House carries a two-fold mission:
• To raise awareness, offer education, provide resources and strengthen prevention efforts in communities.
• To provide holistic multifaceted therapies to usher in healing and restoration of identity and purpose through its H.E.A.R.T.S. program.
The H.E.A.R.T.S. (Healing Education and Restorative Therapies for Survivors) is a 20- to 24-month residential program with a mentorship aspect in addition to providing several therapeutic healing modalities such as acupuncture, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), talk therapy, nutrition counseling and coaching provided pro-bono by qualified licensed practitioners.
Taught by volunteers, the mentorship classes are designed to teach life skills in a supportive environment to empower women to find employment and enjoy productive lives. The classes include art, music, healthy baking and cooking, meal planning, budgeting and finances, and resume and job interview preparation. “In my opinion, one of the most important aspects of what Destiny House Restoration Center offers is the compassionate care that goes into everything we do, as we value the dignity of every woman who trusts us enough to join our program,” says a volunteer.
Without federal or state funding, Destiny House solely relies on sponsorships, donations and the dedicated work of its volunteers and mentors. As such, all monies raised at their events go to the transition home and program operating costs and mission. Destiny House welcomes anyone who would like to become a volunteer and mentor who feel they can add to the value of what Destiny House brings to the community.
“Many of our volunteers hear about our mission by attending our annual Evening of Destiny Benefit Concert and Speaker event,” Lisa says. “This marks our sixth year here in Prescott, and it is our biggest community reach, bringing a professional concert of my original music, inspired out of my own journey of hope and healing, with messages from experts in this field, including survivors sharing their stories.
“Sex trafficking and exploitation is a challenging subject that many don’t want to face, but it is imperative we talk with our kids and families about it, and this kind of event is not only powerful but inspires many to want to be part of the solution.”
Joining Lisa, an award-winning artist/songwriter, this year are Prescott musicians Drew Hall, Troy Schilperoort, Alicia Previn, as well as out of town pros, artist/producer Brandon Bee (co-produced one of Justin Beiber’s songs) and drummer Ross Fishburn (toured with Phil Wickham and Shane & Shane).
Speakers include Julio Almanza (Wrong to Strong foundation), Detective Heidi Chance from the state Attorney General’s Office (PBS Documentary Sex Trafficked in America), survivor Tanya Alegria and more. VIP packages include best seats and a meet and greet prior to event.
The Evening of Destiny Benefit Concert is Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center. Get tickets at www.ycpac.com or call 928.776.2000.
To learn more about becoming a donor, sponsor or volunteer, visit: destinyhouserc.org. Follow Destiny House Restoration Center on Facebook.
